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TechBUZZ Lineup Showcases 28 Emerging Technology Start-ups

05/15/2012

Cutting-Edge Innovators Looking to Capture the Spotlight and Advance to TechBUZZ Showdown

Capital Connection’12, a nationally recognized technology industry conference, will premiere 28 entrepreneurial ventures debuting innovative solutions at the 2012 TechBUZZ on May 23. These seed stage companies will compete for the title of “Best of the BUZZ” and earn the chance to introduce their breakthrough companies to a powerful and influential audience at the Capital Connection’12 finale.

The 28 finalists are comprised of 27 selected from a record number of entrants through the TechBUZZ application process, and one firm identified as the winner of the nationwide Startup America TechBUZZ Challenge Contest. More than 200 early stage and start-up companies submitted their ideas and models in hopes of securing a moment in the spotlight to unveil their vision to an audience of peers, advisors and potential investors who might help them bring their dreams to life. The selected companies represent a diverse range of industry fields.

“We have an amazing group of seed stage entrepreneurs on a trajectory for introducing some interesting innovations that could change the way we live and work,” said Thanasis Delistathis, Founder and Managing Partner, New Atlantic Ventures. Mr. Delistathis is serving with Steve Fredrick, General Partner, Grotech Ventures; and Tom Roberts, Partner, Harbert Venture Partners as Capital Connection'12 Conference Co-Chairs.

“The record-breaking response from technology start-ups made the selection process extremely difficult,” said Grant Allen, Vice President, ABB Technology Ventures and Co-Chair of 2012 Selection Committee. “The companies selected represent but a portion of the broader group we were privileged to review this year, who will share their creative, game-changing approaches to market opportunities in a Fast Pitch format with the goal of advancing to the Main Stage as a ‘Best of the BUZZ’ to present their business vision to the entire Capital Connection’12 audience.”

“At this early stage in their development, these applicants often are seeking critical first rounds of investment to help them move forward with build out and implementation of their prototypes, pilot projects and early-to-market plans. Our selection from such a large field of up-and-coming new ventures, reflects a great cross-section of industry and companies launching their unique products and services,” explained Joe Harar, Principal, TDF and Co-Chair of the 2012 Selection Committee. “Even though we were limited by space to hear from 28 companies on the TechBUZZ platform, we were very pleased to see so many strong prospects in the marketplace, many of whom will be in attendance.”

TechBUZZ kicks off on May 23 at 1:00 p.m. with a keynote from Founder and CEO of Opower, Dan Yates. The TechBUZZ program follows with each company allotted four minutes to present their business concept as a game-changing technology-based solution. This rapid fire format will provide the audience with a snapshot of some of the promising, emerging technologies and business models in development. With real-time feedback collected from the audience through a customized app, the top presenting companies will be announced as the “Best of the BUZZ” and will advance to the TechBUZZ Showdown. The final event of Capital Connection’12 will be the TechBUZZ Showdown at 4pm on May 24th, when the “Best of the BUZZ” will provide an encore presentation of their TechBUZZ pitches to the entire Capital Connection audience. Based on audience feedback, one TechBUZZ company will be named the 2012 champion.

Key features in this year’s Capital Connection and TechBUZZ conference:

• Keynote Speakers: Chairman and CEO of Revolution, Co-Founder of America Online and ultimate entrepreneur, Steve Case; Gilt Groupe CEO and Co-Founder, Kevin Ryan; and CEO and Founder of Opower, Dan Yates.
• Who’s Hot: A who’s who of hot companies and recognizable market leaders.
• What’s the BUZZ? The high energy, fast-pitch TechBUZZ program showcasing what’s new and fresh from Seed Stage startups. This year featuring the Best of the BUZZ with real-time feedback from audience participants.
• Easy Access: A new rate structure to make the conference accessible to a broad range of entrepreneurs, angel investors, incubators and companies across all stages of growth.
• Opportunity to Tell the Company Story: An unparalleled opportunity for early, growth and late stage firms to present business models for investment or showcase their success.

Capital ConnectionTM, one of the nation’s most respected industry conferences, will be held this year on May 23-24 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Registration for Capital Connection’12 with its featured innovative TechBUZZ event is now open on the conference website located at www.capitalconnection.org.

NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS: Media interested in attending this year’s Capital Connection and TechBUZZ, must submit an online request for press credentials at http://www.capitalconnection.org/about/media. The conference media policy is also available for review on the above web page.

About Capital ConnectionTM In its 25th year, Capital Connection brings together the broad community of entrepreneurial companies and potential partners to help enhance business and economic growth. Opinion leaders from business and government share their knowledge and expertise, along with leading technology companies at all growth stages who showcase their capabilities to a nationwide audience of investors, advisors, partners and entrepreneurs at the annual signature event. Launched in 2011, TechBUZZ provides start-ups and seed-stage companies center stage in spotlighting the “next big thing.” For more information and to register, go to www.capitalconnection.org.

About TechBUZZTechBUZZ was first piloted in 2010 and launched in May 2011 as a half-day conference preceding Capital Connection in response to the growing impact start-ups and seed-stage companies are having in recent years on the investment ecosystem overall. MAVA is dedicated to continuing to foster and celebrate this vital area of our membership by bringing together investors and entrepreneurs in a dynamic and meaningful format. TechBUZZ shines a well-deserved light on the visionary innovators and company-builders in our region who are actively developing their concepts, testing their beta or prototype products and services and pursuing a path toward market entry.